Planner I

Edmonton

$90K — $114K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or a directly related field
  • Minimum of two years of practical work experience in planning; candidates with less may be considered at a concept level
  • Strong understanding of municipal planning processes and legislation
  • Advanced verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills for managing political sensitivities

Responsibilities

  • Review and process low-to-medium complexity land development applications
  • Analyze land development proposals for alignment with municipal and provincial regulations
  • Coordinate administrative and technical reviews across departments and agencies
  • Formulate and deliver evidence-based recommendations and reports
  • Engage with various stakeholders to explain planning processes
  • Conduct structured site inspections and land use assessments
  • Collaborate on developing standard operating procedures and departmental projects

Benefits

  • Ongoing support and mentorship for professional growth
  • Possibility of hybrid work arrangement for flexibility
  • Engagement with diverse community groups
  • Opportunity to actively contribute to The City Plan
  • Exposure to multiple aspects of the planning process in a public-focused role
Full Job Description
Operating within the Development Approvals & Inspections Section, the Planner I delivers technical expertise across various planning portfolios, including rezoning, subdivisions, and development permits. You will be responsible for managing a diverse caseload, interpreting municipal legislation, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to guide development projects from inception to completion. As an entry-level professional planning position, you will receive ongoing support and mentorship while actively contributing to the realization of The City Plan.

What will you do?

  • Review and process low-to-medium complexity land development applications, including rezonings, closures, subdivisions, and development permits
  • Analyze land development proposals for alignment with the Municipal Government Act, provincial regulations, and municipal policies, including The City Plan and Zoning Bylaw
  • Coordinate the administrative and technical review of applications across civic departments, external agencies, and the public
  • Formulate formal, evidence-based recommendations, technical reports, and bylaws for City Council and the Subdivision Authority
  • Prepare and deliver professional presentations to City Council, public hearings, and internal committees
  • Engage with applicants, developers, community groups, and the public to explain technical planning processes, legislation, and policies
  • Conduct structured site inspections and land use assessments to verify site context, opportunities, and constraints
  • Collaborate on the development of standard operating procedures, continuous improvement initiatives, and strategic department projects
  • Research, collect, and analyze planning data, metrics, and demographic trends to support operational decision-making
  • Perform related duties as required


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or a directly related field
  • Minimum of two (2) years of practical work experience in planning. Candidates with less than two (2) years of relevant experience may be considered at an opportunity concept level


Assets:

  • Eligibility for or membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) / Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI)


Skills required for success:

  • Strong understanding of municipal land use planning processes, provincial legislation (including the Municipal Government Act), statutory/non-statutory plans, and zoning bylaws
  • Advanced verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex urban planning concepts clearly to City Council, coworkers, and engagement participants
  • Strong interpersonal skills to manage political sensitivities and resolve conflicts with oppositional groups or upset individuals
  • Exceptionally strong project management and organizational skills to manage a heavy workload of multiple concurrent files with strict, time-sensitive deadlines
  • Sharp critical thinking and attention to detail to analyze risk assessments, policy documents, and technical briefs
  • Flexibility and strong prioritization skills to pivot quickly toward unpredictable tasks, unexpected council inquiries, or rapid report revisions
  • Creativity and problem-solving skills to build unique, customized solutions (such as Direct Control provisions) that satisfy both municipal standards and developer objectives
  • Technical proficiency in navigating municipal software platforms and databases for application tracking and recording inquiries
  • Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies ( https://bit.ly/4brRrXm )
  • Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion


Conditions of Employment:

  • Applicants may be tested


Work Environment:

  • Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52
  • The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement, and the incumbent will be notified in advance
  • This role works primarily in an indoor setting
  • Availability to attend events during the evenings and weekends may be required from time to time
  • This is a public-facing role and requires engagement and interaction with diverse people from various backgrounds with different needs, expectations and emotional states


Up to 1 permanent full-time position and up to 3 temporary full-time positions for up to 11 months

Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week

Salary Range: $51.611 - $65.218 (Hourly); $90,925.680 - $114,897.810 (Annually)

Recruitment Consultant: JF/SO

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation .

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